Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Finance and Budget Unit of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief, Operations and Resources Management or their designate. This position has a functional reporting relationship to the Controller, OPPBA.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Finance and Budget Officer (Chief of Unit) will be responsible for the following duties:
Supports with the development of the mission's annual budget development programme, providing supervision and coordination with respect to the establishment of major resourcing priorities, prepare cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of mission's resourcing requirements such as staff and non-staff requirements, including programmatic aspects; review, analyze and revise data with respect to the finalization of the budget proposals as well as Results Based Budgeting inputs.
Plans and oversees the preparation, review and finalization of budget performance reports in compliance with the Legislative requirements and recommendations and Controller's instructions; review and ensures valid variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
Prepares inputs to the UN's legislative processes for consideration of mission financing requirements by FBFP, Controller's Office, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly.
Administrates the allotments of the mission in line with the updated policy on administration of allotments including advise, guidance and approval of redeployment/reallocation of funds in line with implementation of planned and/or prioritized activities.
Ensures the efficient and effective use of budgetary resources through robust monitoring of budget utilization to the approved budget and timely provision of information to mission management for decision making; provide support and guidance to fund centre/programme managers on budget implementation and corrective actions where necessary.
Administer and monitor extra-budgetary resources, including review of agreements and cost plans, ensuring compliance with regulations and rules and established policies and procedures.
Plans, oversees and prepares the closing of the monthly and Year-End Accounts of the Mission ensuring full resolution of all open items, bank reconciliations, Account Receivables and Payables and Clearing accounts; endorses and guides the financial entries for Real Estate assets; certifies the monthly and year-end accounts in accordance with requirements of the Controller prior to submission.
Supervises and guides the processing of payments for goods and services received ensuring that the established procedures including availability of appropriate supporting documents for the processing of payments are adhered to
Oversees the preparation of staff members' entitlements including claims, danger pay, daily subsistence allowance, mission subsistence allowance, volunteer living allowance and any other allowances for payment in conformity and adherence to applicable United Nations policies e.g. staff rules, financial regulations and rules, ST/AI issuances or practices or practices, IPSAS policy framework, etc.
Supervises the disbursement processes of the mission; monitors the house bank account balances and transaction summaries; follows up on delayed and/or returned/rejected payments and unidentifiable deposits with banks/manages cash flow requirements.
Oversees timely reconciliation of the bank statements for the Mission house banks
Oversees timely preparation of year-end reports for the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) on all pension contributions made by national staff
Prepare financial reports that informs and meets the need for senior management of the mission, programme and fund centre managers throughout the mission, relevant external stakeholders as well as those acting on behalf of the mission at UNHQ
Provides advice, financial interpretations, adaptations and corrective actions in response to audits and other queries to ensure adherence to the UN Financial Regulations and Rules, Staff Rules, Administrative Instructions, Bulletins and Circulars
Acts as Certifying Officer under Financial Rule 105.5 or Approving Officer under Financial Rule 105.4 in adherence with the UN Regulations and Rules
Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Education
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in business administration, accounting, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with relevant years of experience in financial management, accounting or other related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Professional recognition as a Certified Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant of their equivalent is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in cost management and budget formulation, cost control and monitoring, accounting and financial reporting, or analysis and interpretation of financial results is required. Proficiency in financial systems and ERP financial modules, particularly SAP is required. Experience with budgetary procedures, policies, and practices in an international organization is required. Experience in trust fund management, budget preparation, resource planning, and monitoring and analyzing budget implementation is required.
Experience in supporting Peace operations involving military/security, logistics, infrastructure development, or a similar undertaking is desirable Experience in cost recovery policies and procedures is desirable. Ability to represent budget and finance issues to internal and external clients as a service provider is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available for a period of 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless
(a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and
(b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2):
(1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and
(2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2):
(1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and
(2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.